Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 60

Murder in Tuscany by T.A. Williams - Book Review

Murder in Tuscany by T.A. Williams

Series: An Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mystery #1 

Publication Date: 18th Oct 2022

Genre: Contemporary Cozy Mystery

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Fun but slow 

*****

Retired DCI Dan Armstrong isn’t a writer but has no choice but to attend the two-week writing workshop in Villa Volpone in Tuscany. He is not happy about it, though the setting gives him hope. Maybe he can decide what to do with his life. 

The last thing Dan expected was a murder, that too of Jonah Moore, the famous writer who hosted the workshop. With eleven suspects and buried secrets surrounding him, Dan knows he has to get back on duty, albeit unofficially. 

Can Dan and Italian Commissario Virgilio Pisano (who is happy to have some help) solve the crime before there’s another murder? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Dan Armstrong. 

What I Like: 

The setting becomes a part of the story with ease. The descriptions are detailed but not overly so. The book does justice to the title and shows Tuscany to the readers. 

DCI Dan Armstrong is a good man. He is smart, but many mistakes. He grumbles but knows to take things in stride. He shows his soft side and isn’t afraid to be emotional. 

Oscar is an adorable black lab. I like that he is a constant part of the book and will be a part of the other books too. You can’t help but love a dog like him. 

The mystery is well done, and the subplot progresses along with it. In fact, there are instances when the subplot has more progress than the case, but that’s expected in a cozy mystery series. 

There’s loads of food in the book. Though I’m a vegetarian, I enjoyed the scenes with food. And who can resist macaroons, velvety ice creams, tiramisu… yum. ;) 

Oh, by the way, the book is squeaky clean (except for the murder, which is not graphic either). 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The pacing is real slow. I understand why it was necessary for the first quarter, but the story refused to pick up the pace even in the latter half. It’s either that or the page count is off by 100. It definitely feels like a 330+ book instead of 260 pages. 

The chapters are too long. They were separated based on the days. But with a linear narration, this doesn't really matter. Shorter chapters would have been the same, maybe even easier to read.   

There’s quite a bit of repetition that further slowed down my reading. Some of it was necessary, but the rest only weighed down the narration. 

To summarize, A Murder in Tuscany is a decent start to a new cozy mystery with a retired DCI and his adopted doggy. It’s a clean read but has a few triggers (mentions). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #AMurderinTuscany 

Under a Veiled Moon by Karen Odden - Book Review

Under a Veiled Moon by Karen Odden

Series: Inspector Corravan #2 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 11th Oct 2022

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: This is good! 

*****

Sep 1878, London

Pleasure boat Princess Alice collides with an iron-hulled collier, Bywell Castle, in the Thames. Princess Alice is torn apart, and 600 passengers are in the waters. With only 130 of them surviving, the case is one of the biggest accidents on the river. 

However, the problem is that the collision may not be an accident. It appears that the Irish Republican Brotherhood planned the incident as a way to demand the restoration of the Irish Home Role. 

Scotland Yard Inspector Michael Corravan is on the case. His Irish roots and connection could help him solve the case or put his life at risk. The increasing violence in Whitechapel adds to his troubles. Colin, the youngest Doyle, seems to be in the middle of it. Corrovan has no choice but to save the Doyle family. After all, they are his family, albeit adopted. 

But can Inspector Corrovan get to the heart of the matter before it’s too late? The life of the Irish in London is horrible as it is. Will his investigation make it worse? What will it do to him? 

My Observations: 

The book works very well as a standalone (I read book one though I confess I don’t remember much, which isn’t uncommon). 

Corrovan’s character arc is getting better and better. I love that he has issues but does justice to his job as a policeman. 

The side characters are just as important and do their bit to keep the story going. They aren’t mere cardboard pieces but are growing similar to the main character (except for a couple, maybe). 

What I love in the book is the theme. It deals with the Britishers’ hatred for the Irish and how this causes long-lasting repercussions on the poor and innocent. The writing is hard-hitting and straight to the point.

The themes of politics, gang wars, racism, personal prejudice, deliberate misinformation (some things don’t change), etc., are handed with a deft hand. The book is darker than the previous one, but nowhere does it get hyper, dramatic, or preachy. 

There’s quite a bit of philosophical introspection (which reduces the pace), but it is a part of character development. I see how this might led to crucial revelations and developments in book three. 

What could have been better are the pacing and the blurb. I didn’t read the blurb until I finished the book (I requested a copy when I saw the series title and didn’t bother with the blurb) and noticed that it reveals a little too much information. A tighter blurb will make the book more intriguing and effective. And maybe Belinda could have had more space. 

To summarize, Under a Veiled Moon is an excellent and strong continuation of the series. Pick it up when you want something thought-provoking and slow-paced. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #UnderaVeiledMoon 

A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith - Book Review

A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith

Series: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #23 (Standalone)

Genre: Mild Drama, Cozy Mystery (without murder) 

4.3 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming; a comfort read (but go with the right expectations) 

****

Grace Makutsi's husband has a furniture business, which is in trouble. An international is selling furniture for cheaper prices. While Phuti Radiphuti is particular about quality and comfort, the new competitor is intent on sales and profits. 

Grace and Mma Ramotswe meet Grace’s childhood friend Patience, who appears to be dealing with her own issues. Mma Ramotswe comes up with ideas that might solve both issues and provide a happy solution for all of them. 

But are things as easy as the plan? How will Grace Makutsi and Mma Ramotswe handle the latest complexities?

The story comes in the third person POV. It alters between limited third-person (of both the leading ladies) and omnipresent narration. 

The last time I read a book from the series was about a decade ago. I picked it up at random from the library and wasn’t impressed by the lack of dead bodies in a cozy mystery (blame it on my bloodlust). Comparing it to Agatha Christie’s book didn’t help. Still, I was compelled enough to finish the book before turning to a murder mystery. 

Now I see why the series is successful and much loved. The book doesn’t really fit any genre. The mysteries are not ‘mysteries’, but aspects of one’s life- things we see in society, issues someone has to deal with, and decisions people need to make. 

The narration is relaxed and takes time to gather momentum. Even then, it is languid and lingers here and there before coming to the main point. The writing has a semi-stream-of-consciousness style (an incident happens/ new info is revealed, and one of the leading ladies thinks about something relevant from the past). Once I got used to this, I could sync my reading style with the narration. 

The book has a good dose of social commentary but doesn’t overdo it at any point. Mma Ramotswe’s calm acceptance of whatever life throws at her helps ground the narration. 

Coming to the main issues in the story, things don’t take off until the second half. The first half gathers information in bits and pieces, while the ‘solving process’ begins in the latter part. Of course, we know what and why already. It’s how that matters. One solution is simple, and the other is well… elaborate and dramatic. The teeny twist at the end adds a cheeky charm to the book. 

To summarize, A Song of Comfortable Chairs is the kind of book you want to sit with on cold noon and warm your heart. It isn’t a typical cozy mystery or drama. It’s a comfort read that’ll make you think and smile at the same time. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Knopf Canada, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley 

*****

P.S: The book works as a standalone but reading at least one book in the series might be better. 

The Last Summer in Ireland by Noëlle Harrison - Book Review

The Last Summer in Ireland by Noëlle Harrison

Publication Date: 03rd Oct 2022

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Dual Timeline 

2.8 Stars 

One Liner: Tries to tackle too many issues 

*****
Something happens twenty years ago that changed the lives of the sisters Aisling, Mauve, and Naula. Nalua’s death and the subsequent events continue to impact everyone related to the sisters. 

Iris goes to Ireland after the death of her mother, Aisling. There is much she doesn’t know, and staying at Swan Hall (her mother’s family home) with her aunt Mauve leaves her with more questions than answers. 

Things come to light when Iris discovers Naula’s diary. However, her own life takes a drastic turn when history repeats itself. Can Iris come to terms with the past and her present? Where does it take her? 

The story comes in the limited third-person POV of Iris and Aisling and the first-person POV of Naula. 

What I Like: 

The setting, especially Ireland, is a tangible part of the story. It blends with the narrative to intensify the atmosphere. 

Naula’s POV in the first person is done so well that she comes alive in those chapters. The writing style suits the character’s personality. I couldn’t help but feel her sense of urgency and get involved in her drama. 

The story picks up pace in the latter half. Though none of the characters were likable, I wanted to read till the end. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

I don’t mind books with unlikeable characters, but this one made it hard to sympathize with the main character, Iris. There’s only one word to describe her- stupid. The plot depended on her being stupid. It might have worked better for me if this wasn’t the case. 

The book deals with many dark themes like catholic laws when dealing with unmarried pregnant girls, abortion rights, homosexuality, dysfunctional families, alcohol abuse, domestic abuse, misogyny, postpartum depression, parental death, complex sibling relationship, single mother troubles, Irish politics (something to do with IRA), emotional instability, et al. 

This overload of themes makes the book heavy and tiring. Furthermore, the issues relevant in the current scenario are overemphasized. It felt like being knocked on the head with a hammer. 

Those pro-choice already know the ground reality. Those against it aren’t going to change their minds by reading a heavy-handed fictional drama. Speeches in fiction are not my favorite. When the similarities are clear as daylight, trust readers to connect the issues and think about them. That’ll be more impactful instead of forcing the issue. 

The blurb and the story’s core focus don’t align. I went into the book expecting family drama (which I got). But I also got a lot of social commentary. Now, if I knew what to expect, I’d take it in stride and go with the flow. Imagine Iris flipping over in the last part of the book when she’s been nothing but annoying until that point.

There’s a happy ending of sorts, which also did nothing to make me happy. Iris finding out the truth about her parent didn’t even create the impact it should have because it wasn’t the focal point. 

And finally, Iris wanted to be a writer. I was startled by her confession. Not being judgmental, but I didn’t associate her with writing based on the character arc. It was a shocker. 

To summarize, The Last Summer in Ireland is a dark read dealing with many themes and a current hot topic. It’s a mixed bag that could have been better with a restrained execution. 

I enjoyed The Boatman’s Wife by the author, but this wasn’t to be.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheLastSummerinIreland 

Death on the Pier by Jamie West - Book Review

Death on the Pier by Jamie West

Series: A Bertie Carroll Mystery #1 

Publication Date: 10th Oct 2022

Genre: Historical Mystery, LGBT

4 Stars 

One Liner: A good start to the series 

*****

Bertie Carroll is a successful playwright in the 1930s. He is in Brighton to watch the performance of one of his plays (the not-so-successful one) in the Palace Pier Theatre. Bertie meets an old friend, Chief Detective Inspector Hugh Chapman, and they attend the event together. 

A former Hollywood star, Celia Hamilton, is shot on the stage as per the play. But they soon realize that a murder took place right in front of their eyes. Hugh asks Bertie to solve the case as his partner. After all, why can’t a playwright who specializes in murder mysteries solve a real crime? 

Things get complicated as more information comes to light. It’s up to Bertie and High to find the killer and the reason for the crime. 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

What I Like: 

The writing is easy to read and enjoyable. The pacing is steady almost throughout, though it dips a little in the last third. 

Bertie is a likable character, and so is Hugh. I’m already looking forward to the next in the series. The other characters are pretty much two-dimensional but do the job. 

Gertrude reminded me of Miss Lemon, except that she is more relaxed and cheerful. In fact, the book has quite a few touches of Agatha Christie’s storytelling. The final reveal is another example of this. 

I could guess the killer even before the murder happened. Of course, that didn’t diminish my reading experience as I wanted to see if I was right and find out how the crime was committed. 

The main character belongs to the LGBT community. Yet, this aspect wasn’t used as a banner on his head. I liked how it’s just who he is. There’s some discussion in a veiled manner (which will probably be revealed in the next books). Bertie and Hugh’s past seem like a potential subplot to connect the series. 

The theatre is another character in the story. The detailing shows the author’s experience in the field. But… (continued in the next section)

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The beginning has a detailed description of the Palace Pier Theatre. While it helped visualize the place (after all, that’s where the murder occurs), it felt a bit too stretched. I enjoy descriptions, but this went a bit too long, IMO. 

The book is dialogue-heavy. This isn’t an issue per se, but I found it tiring at a couple of places. 

A little more character development would have been great (we might see it in the coming books). 

To summarize, Death on the Pier is a good start to a historical mystery series, with a playwright as an amateur sleuth. It’s a light read. Pick it up when you want something to relax with.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Brabinger Publishing, for the eARC. T 

#NetGalley #DeathonthePier 

The Mystery of Raspberry Hill by Eva Frantz - Book Review

The Mystery of Raspberry Hill by Eva Frantz

Publication Date: 13th Oct 2022

Genre: Middle Grade, Dark Fiction, Paranormal 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: A touching and quick read 

*****

Twelve-year-old Stina knows she will die someday. She has tuberculosis but not enough money for treatment. Her widowed mother tries her best to take care of Stina and her five siblings. 

When Stina is sent to the Raspberry Hill Sanatorium for recovery treatment, she and her family are excited. It’s not every day that the poor have the same opportunities as the rich. However, Stina’s stay at the huge sanatorium has mixed results. 

There are secrets around her, and one such secret could put her in grave danger. What happened to the East Wing? Why are there no other kids recovering at the sanatorium? What secrets is the place hiding? Can Stina find out the truth before it’s too late? Does she have a chance to recover and live longer than she hoped? 

The story comes from Stina’s first-person POV. 

My Observations: 

The story has been translated from Swedish to English and reads well. It is short and fast-paced yet has enough material to entertain a middle-grader. 

The book starts with Stina announcing her impending death (because of TB). This is repeated a few times, which may or may not work for all kids. Of course, it is to be expected when Stina is the narrator. 

The atmospheric setting is done well. I could visualize Raspberry Hall and its gloomy surroundings. 

The occasional hits of cheeky humor keep the tone lighthearted despite the heavy topic. Stina makes some thoughtful observations. She’s a smart girl with realistic traits and reactions. 

A few scenes are convenient, and there are easy coincidences towards the end. However, this is a book for kids. They need some amount of positivity to believe in happy ever afters and magic. No complaints here (after all, I’m not the target audience for the book). 

The book can be finished in a single sitting. The way it blends death, health issues, poverty, greed, etc., with adventure, mystery, and bravery makes it a worthy read. I also liked how Stina makes some wrong assumptions instead of being right every time. 

The paranormal bits are an integral part of the plot. It’s easy to figure things out as an adult (though I think kids would, too), but that’s where the charm lies. 

The characters are well-defined (and yes, some are stereotypical, but who cares). I could imagine even those characters who didn’t have an active role in the story. 

To summarize, The Mystery of Raspberry Hill is a touching book with a lovable heroine and an intriguing setting. Just make sure your kids can read about death before picking this for them. Adults shouldn’t have anything to worry about. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Children's Books, for the eARC. 

#TheMysteryofRaspberryHill #NetGalley

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh - Book Review

Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh

Publication Date: 04th Oct 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance

4.3 Stars 

One Liner: A delightful read 

*****

Molly and Andrew have been flying home to Ireland for Christmas on the same flight for ten years. When the flight is canceled at the last minute, Molly is determined to ensure Andrew gets home to his family. She may not like Christmas the way he does, but she will do everything she can to help him. 

They race across the continents to get home on time. At the same time, they also seem to discover something more about their friendship. Maybe it’s time they examined their feelings for each other? Will this Christmas bring them happy-ever-after? 

The story comes in the first-person narrative by Molly. 

My Observations: 

This is such a cute and sweet story! It’s what we call Hallmark sweet, which I love reading once in a while. Christmas and heartwarming romance go hand in hand. I’m glad that my first Christmas book of the year worked well (touchwood). 

Despite being a first-person narration, the story has a good pace. It flatters only in the last quarter but gains some pace to settle down at a medium speed. 

The banter between the characters was fun, lively, and enjoyable. I liked Molly’s interactions with Gabriela, Zoe, and Andrew. It’s easy to like Molly. Her character is balanced to be sweet and a little annoying. Bonus points because she likes food. 

Andrew is just as good, a bit more assertive and confident but vulnerable enough to feel relatable. Hannah had a small role but makes her presence strongly felt. I like that kid. 

I like that the characters don’t drag issues or have communication issues. Sure, they don’t just blurt things out but aren’t afraid to talk about important issues (with good people around them to provide the necessary nudging). 

There isn’t much to dislike in the book. It handles a few themes with a light touch and sustains the lightheartedness throughout. It was almost a 5-star read for me. But I felt that the slow pacing towards the end dimmed the impact a little. The epilogue is cool, though. 

To Summarize, Holiday Romance is a heartwarming Christmas story about friendships, family, love, and being courageous to do what makes us happy. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#HolidayRomance #NetGalley

The Empress of Indraprastha by Sonali Raje - Book Review

The Empress of Indraprastha - Entering Kuruvansh by Sonali Raje

Genre: Mahabharat Retelling (with so many retellings in the market, I think it deserves a genre)

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Nice 

The Empress of Indraprastha - Entering Kuruvansh is the first book in the five-part series retelling Mahabharat from Draupadi’s perspective. The book deals with her Swayamvar until the partition of Hastinapur, where the Pandavas are allotted the barren section (Khandavprastha) of the kingdom. 

My Observations: 

The book is short, crisp, and easy to read. It sets a decent foundation for the remaining four books in the series. 

I haven’t found any triggers (pseudo-intellectuals maligning the original), so that’s a relief. I will read the subsequent works to see if the intent continues or changes. 

The overall feeling the book gives is light. As if I skimmed the surface and didn’t go into deep waters. This is an advantage and disadvantage, depending on what the reader wants. 

The vibes are pretty much positive despite the post-modern phrases like gender equality (I was worried when this term appeared thrice in the first two chapters) and caste discrimination (which has to be ‘varna’ as there was no ‘caste’ during the Mahabharata era). 

There’s Draupadi’s obsession with Karn again, albeit in a different manner. However, it could go either way, and I’ll reserve my views on it until I know where it leads. The author did handle it better in this book compared to CBD’s Palace of Illusions. I hope it continues. 

Sahdev gets more screen space in this one, which I like. The interactions have strong undertones of foreshadowing (a little too much at times). Krishna’s wordplay gets a special mention (something I always enjoy in our old Telugu movies). 

The book has more domesticated scenes that show the other side of the princes and kings. Of course, the author’s imagination is at work, but as long as it doesn’t harm the original, I don’t mind. 

A little more research into confirming timeframes for samosas and Jaunpuri rang would have been better. Historical inaccuracies don’t look good in books. (it’s not like we don’t have enough native dishes and ragas to borrow from another culture and time)

There are descriptions of the setting where it matters, and the individual characteristics of the Pandava brothers are well presented. But the book, as such, misses the feel of historical fiction. 

A book set in ancient times has to have the charm of the period. Despite the sprinkling of some native words, the impact isn’t there. The writing feels contemporary (almost like modern-day characters role-playing a periodic drama). 

To summarize, The Empress of Indraprastha - Entering Kuruvansh is a decent beginning to the series and a fast read if you aren’t too particular about a few things. Rounding off the rating to 4 stars since this is the author’s debut work (and I didn’t find anything offensive). 

I thank the author for the complimentary copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions. 

*****

If you’re interested in knowing more about Draupadi and Mahabharata in general, check out the Draupadi Parashakti website by a friend. It mentions the references from where the information is collected. 

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly - Book Review

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly

Genre: Family Drama 

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Interesting but could have been much better

Nell arrives at her family home to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her father’s famous book, The Golden Bones. The book has become a cult favorite and eventually put Nell in danger. She still spends her life like a nomadic traveler. After all, the Bonehunters are still actively searching for the missing bone to revive Eleanor (from the book). 

Frank Churcher, the author of The Golden Bone, is all set to reveal the location of the missing bone and launch the mobile app version of the puzzle. However, he unleashes the buried past on everyone in the Churcher and Lally family. 

With secrets coming out one after another and threats mounting pile high, Nell has to choose between family, her life, and doing what’s right. 

My Observations: 

I’m glad I read it as a family drama rather than a mystery. I expected the story to be centered on the dysfunctional family and wasn’t disappointed (thanks to my brain that forgot the blurb). 

The overall premise is excellent, and some scenes are very well-written. But the book feels a little heavy with many things happening and the constant shift between past and present. 

The pacing is slow and uneven. The story has a loop within a loop that keeps the reader going in circles. It doesn’t help that the book is 500+ pages long (something I missed when I requested the ARC). 

There are multiple POVs in different timelines. While I’m used to this, the ARC I had didn’t have proper formatting. It was hard to know which POV belonged to which character. The saving grace was that except for Nell’s first-person POV, the others are in the limited third-person. 

The middle of the book was info heavy. Though it revealed more information, the process was laborious and long-winded. Sometimes, ‘telling’ works better. The book would have worked much better if it was 70-100 pages shorter. 

The last 15% to 20% left me with mixed feelings. In fact, I should say it made me dislike Nell when I should have been supporting her. None of the characters were likable except Billie, but that wasn’t an issue. There weren’t supposed to be liked anyway. 

What annoyed me was Nell’s holier-than-thou attitude in the climax. What Frank did was a greater crime than murder, in my books. I give this one 4 stars (despite my rants or because of them) for the ending. 

I like how the book ended. Some families are clearly not meant to be together, and the author worked the plot to reach this stage. Nell’s actions gave the story the ending it needed. I dislike her character, but I like the story and its closure. 

The epilogue is a master touch. It confirms my assessments of the characters. It actually makes me feel justified for siding with the family, lol. A definite plus. 

To Summarize, The Skeleton Key is a cleverly plotted novel about unlikeable characters, dysfunctional families, and human fallacies. It would have worked a lot better if the plot was presented with more precision in fewer pages. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheSkeletonKey 

Silverweed Road by Simon Crook - Book Review

Silverweed Road by Simon Crook

Publication Date: 15th Sep 2022

Genre: Short Story Anthology, Horror 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Atmospheric and entertaining 

Silverweed Road is a spooky, strange, and chilling area with creepy activities and weird people. Everyone on the road is a stranger to the other and has secrets to hide. From spine-chilling sounds to unexplainable disappearances, Silverweed Road is where no outsider wants to go. 

But what happened to the people living along the road? Detective Chief Inspector Jim Heath goes through his notes to talk about the cases he encountered. 

The book is a collection of horror stories with a common setting and multiple themes like greed, human failings, mad brilliance, etc. 

The Jackdaw- 4.5 Stars

Victor Hagman is obsessed with his garden. His wife Patricia realizes that Victor is no longer who he was, and the garden is the only thing that matters. So when the Jackdaw pair thaws Victor’s attempts to protect his late-season raspberries, it unleashes a series of incidents that changes their lives forever. 

This is totally my kinda story! It is atmospheric, creepy, and dark. I knew what would happen but was still curious to see if that’s how the story would progress. The ending is poetic (not the verses one) and concludes the story with perfection. 

The Plot- 3.8 Stars 

Cleo Marsh is a young artist, a reclusive painter who shot to fame with her bold paintings. The demand to interact with the buyers pushes her into a void. Meeting Margaret Prowler seems like a good thing. What happens when Cleo goes to Margaret’s retreat on Silverweed Road? 

The story takes time to get to the point, but the buildup is necessary to understand Cleo and her actions. This, too, is an atmospheric setting where we know something will happen. The concept is great, but I didn’t feel the ending hit me as it should. 

Caught Red-Handed- 4.2 Stars 

Augustus Fry needs a deal to stay afloat. After all, shady antique business doesn’t run without artifacts and gullible sellers. When some Mr. Butterworth from a tiny place calls about a ring, Augustus knows what he has to do. The deal goes better than he expected. But what’s with those strange occurrences in his house? 

This one ups the horror quotient as the story progresses. While the house in Silverweed Road isn’t the focus, that’s where the action takes place. I expected the final twist, but there’s a teeny one that made me smile (sinister types). I do love paranormal entities with ethics. Very important, I say! 

Cuttlefish, Cuttlefish- 4.5 Stars  

Dr. Eric Akoto is all set for the experiment of his lifetime on cuttlefish. It seems to progress well until things take a turn for worse. Can Dr. Eric uncover the secret? What happens to him? 

This is the best story in the book until now. It’s sci-fi horror written in the diary format where Dr. Eric records his thoughts and observations each day. The story is fascinating and eww (depending on how active your imagination is). I enjoyed this one a lot. 

Crash Flowers- 3.7 Stars 

Shanta Kapoor wakes up to an accident outside her home. The crash site is filled with flowers from people in the street. The pink orchids grab Shanta’s attention and start yet another cycle. Where will this lead her? 

The story went really well till the end. It was atmospheric and oppressive as it should be. But I didn’t like the reveal, though it does have some merit. I’d have preferred something more connected with the story itself. 

Darts with the Devil- 3.7 Stars 

Terry Slater has dartritis (a psychological disorder that locks his elbow and prevents him from throwing darts). Nothing he does helps him overcome his humiliating loss in the past and his current inability to throw the darts. What happens when he shakes hands with the Devil? 

You can guess the plot from the title and the blurb. Yep, it goes exactly the way you think it would. The writing was gripping and kept me invested till the end despite the predictability. It is good, but not the best. 

The Vanslow Fox- 4 Stars 

Vanslow Lee’s life is no longer his. He turns into a fox every Sunday night. He meets the ruler of the Woods during one such period. Will this give him a chance to live again, or will it push him into an abyss? 

The story is pretty much in constant action from start to finish. As with the ones, a few elements from the earlier stories are woven into the narrative. The ending was interesting (including the Chief Inspector’s notes). 

The Mogon- 3.7 Stars 

Geppetto Savini comes out of retirement to create his masterpiece, The Mongon, for a movie. His metal costumes have been famous before, but the latest is his best work ever. However, a sudden change of plans ruins things for him. Or will he take control of the situation? 

This is a character-based story where Geppetto is the hero, villain, and victim. While I enjoyed the decline into madness and the subsequent actions, I felt the story was a little rushed and focused more on graphical description (gore) than horror. 

Dust- 4.5 Stars 

Leo Harbinger and his wife Pippa are on their special trip to Scotland for their tenth wedding anniversary? However, one of them has ulterior motives, and it could unleash something they cannot control. 

Yet another story where we know what is likely to happen but want to read it to ensure that’s how the plot goes. Though it is graphic (like other stories), it keeps you hooked, especially in the second half. I love the ending of this one. 

Behind the Curtain- 4 Stars 

Roy and his daughter Lois live in No. 22 and track the goings of the street from behind the curtains. The forever empty house on No. 27 catches their attention. One thing leads to another and could very well end everything. 

The last story in the book works as a standalone and a way to tie up the loose ends. It progresses steadily and has a few moments but doesn’t give that final punch. However, what comes after and the history of the place makes up for it. 

***

To summarize, Silverweed Road is an atmospheric and creepy collection of stories with an interconnected theme. I didn’t find any Brit humor in the stories (maybe it was too subtle for m to notice). But I did find loads of horror and enjoyed reading the collection. 

Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and HarperVoyager, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #Silverweed Road 

*****

There are quite a few trigger warnings, so pick it up if you’re comfortable with dark themes and graphic descriptions.